Pittsfield’s Bousquet Mountain: One of America’s Oldest Ski Resorts

Massachusetts isn't Colorado, but we've got something the western mountains don't - history. Bousquet Mountain in Pittsfield is the 7th oldest ski resort in America, and it's been operating since 1932.

When I moved to Pittsfield back in 2010, I quickly learned this city was way more than just the last Mass Pike exit before New York. One of the first places locals told me about was Bousquet - and for good reason.

The History

Bousquet started as a mink farm owned by Clarence J. "Clare" Bousquet. When the Great Depression hit and the mink business collapsed, Bousquet allowed the Mount Greylock Ski Club to build a 750-foot ski slope on his property. A rope tow followed shortly after, and Pittsfield had its ski mountain.

Here's a wild fact: with help from General Electric - Pittsfield's biggest employer for decades - Bousquet was offering night skiing as early as 1936.

The Mountain Today

A few years ago, Milltown Capital purchased Bousquet and invested millions in upgrades. The mountain now features:

• 750-foot vertical drop
• 22 trails
• 2 lifts
• State-of-the-art snowmaking across most of the mountain
• Terrain park
• Berkshire Bike and Board (Ski Shop and Tuning)
• Drifters Bar and Restaurant (McNinch Group)

The new owners streamlined operations, removing the water park and aerial adventure park that previous ownership had added, and focused on what Bousquet does best - skiing and snowboarding.

This Season

The 2025-26 season has been fantastic. Cold temps and consistent snow have Bousquet running at full capacity, and the upgrades are paying off. Beyond winter sports, the mountain hosts live music in summer and serves as a wedding venue year-round.

For perspective, only one older ski resort exists in New England - Storrs Hills Ski Area in New Hampshire, built in 1925.